Students

Please contact the UPP-RCM Curriculum Office to inquire about clinical or research rotation availability, course information and required documentation. For visiting and international medical students please confirm with your institution for program participation and additional necessary documents.

• Clinical Rotations

Students typically begin their day at around 7:00 a.m., arriving to the OR at the 2^nd floor of ASEM and changing into the provided sterile gown, cap, and mask. Once properly dressed and with visible ID badge, students will make their way into the OR Holding Area to meet with the attending anesthesiologist and residents to receive their case assignments and responsibilities for the day.

The morning begins with patient chart review, where students will go over the patients’ medical history, surgical procedure details, and anesthetic considerations. Under supervision, students may conduct a focused preoperative interview, physical examination and complete a pre-anesthetic evaluation form. Based on this information, they will work with the resident or attending to develop an anesthetic plan tailored to the patient’s individual needs. Each student is expected to present at least one case to the resident or attending for discussion and feedback. Students should familiarize themselves with the day-to-day workings of the OR and help with patient prep before, during and after surgical procedures.

The day concludes with a postoperative debrief with attendings, and on scheduled dates students must present for didactive lectures at the departmental library.

• Research Rotation

Each day begins with a morning meeting led by the department’s Research Fellow, typically held in the departmental library located in room A-959 of the School of Medicine building. During this time, the group reviews current studies, assigns tasks, and discusses goals for the day. The remainder of the morning is spent assisting with ongoing research activities, editing manuscripts, organizing data, reviewing medical records, and preparing IRB documents. Throughout the rotation, students may also join meetings with faculty and other departments, gaining exposure to collaborative projects and learning how research ideas move from discussion to implementation.

Students are encouraged to participate in didactic sessions offered through the anesthesiology residency program. These sessions provide broader exposure to the field, reinforce core concepts in anesthesiology, and serve as a source of inspiration for potential research ideas. As a final assignment for the rotation, each student will prepare a concise research proposal or brief presentation to share with the Research Director. This final presentation should integrate knowledge gained throughout the rotation and demonstrate initiative, engagement in the research process, and a developing understanding of academic anesthesiology.

Students should be punctual, prepared, engaged in discussions, and actively involved in clinical learning. A comprehensive rotation manual will be provided containing essential information, including commonly used medications, basic procedures, and fundamental clinical guidelines. The basic clinical knowledge and foundational skills outlined in this material are expected and serve as the basis for participation in the clinical environment; therefore, reviewing the manual in advance is strongly encouraged. Faculty and residents may assess students on this content to reinforce key concepts and promote preparedness for real-world application. Students are also required to maintain a daily case log of the procedures and cases in which they participated. This log must be submitted at the end of the course in order to receive a final evaluation.

Students are exposed to a wide variety of surgical and procedural cases across multiple specialties. These may include general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, obstetric anesthesia, pediatric cases, and other subspecialty procedures. Students also gain experience in perioperative evaluation, intraoperative anesthetic management, and postoperative care. Exposure will vary depending on the daily operating room schedule, allowing students to observe different anesthetic techniques, monitoring strategies, and approaches to patient management across diverse clinical settings.

Procedural involvement is an expected component of clinical training and professional development during the rotation. Students will have opportunities to acquire foundational skills in basic anesthetic techniques, such as airway management and intravenous access, as well as participate in the perioperative management of critically ill patients.

The level of participation is guided by the student’s understanding of the patient’s case, the complexity of the procedure, and demonstrated readiness. In addition to hands-on experience, students are expected to actively engage through observation, assistance, and discussion of intraoperative decision-making, anesthetic management, and patient safety principles.

Yes. In addition to clinical exposure, students participate in didactic lectures, case discussions, and simulation-based training sessions when available, designed to supplement and reinforce core concepts. Lectures are typically held in the department’s library (Room A-959) within the School of Medicine building, although locations may vary depending on scheduling and session format. Students are encouraged to actively participate in discussions and ask questions to enhance engagement and understanding.

Students may participate in ongoing departmental academic projects, including case reports, retrospective studies, survey based research, and other scholarly initiatives. Activities are typically coordinated within the department’s research rotation and may include development of an original project under the guidance of faculty and research mentors. These experiences provide exposure to research methodology, clinical inquiry, and scholarly dissemination. Prior research experience is not required. For additional information, please contact our department.

Observational experiences are not currently available at this time. However, limited opportunities may be considered on an individual basis depending on availability and departmental scheduling. For additional information or to inquire about potential opportunities, please contact our department.